General Discussion

IdaBriggs

(10,559 posts)

204. How many school lunches have you made in the last five years?

Fri Apr 26, 2013, 02:33 PM

Apr 2013

As I said, I've been doing it for a while now, and it really is no biggie. This has become a common condition, and there are alternatives available. While it may have been a challenge twenty years ago, the vendors who service schools are all familiar with the requirement - and for those who "love" peanut butter (and there are children out there with sensory issues who live off of the stuff), there are alternatives that are similar in price, taste nearly identical, and function the same way.

While I enjoy peanut flavored snacks at home, I am not going to have my children be responsible for the death of a classmate over a peanut butter sandwich, when I can slather bread with "sun butter" (made with sesame seeds) for the same price and the same time investment.

Nor do I want some child to never be allowed to have the social interaction that goes with lunch time with their peers (or be locked away with children who actually *are* special needs) because of it.

If you currently have children in the school system, please share your own personal experiences. If you don't, and are just getting your outrage meter up for something you really have no experience with - including checking off the box that says "nut free" when placing an order from a lunch vendor - then you really don't have any experience with modern day school issues.

This one is minor, especially when *reasonable* people work together.

These types of problems are simply going to continue increasing until we solve them, so until that happens, since it is in the public's best interest to have an educated population, the parents of America who don't want to explain that sharing their peanut candy killed their friend, and that is why everyone is sad/attending a funeral can figure it out.

Keeping children safe and alive trumps money issues.

I am struggling not to find your attitude as offensive as the idiots who don't like "government regulation" interfering because it "costs money" and then get all shocked when their fertilizer plants explode, or their garment factories collapse.

One death or many - the goal is to get everyone educated and to adulthood in a safe manner.

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Mom Demands School Go Peanut-Free For Allergic Child [View all] alp227 Apr 2013 OP

That quote is from this child's mother, not someone else. Donald Ian Rankin Apr 2013 #1

Post removed Post removed Apr 2013 #29

Excuse me? I'm a special ed teacher. proud2BlibKansan Apr 2013 #186

What a weird, even bigoted thing to say. thucythucy Apr 2013 #202

Treatment: elleng Apr 2013 #2

The school is in a state that doesn't allow the child to carry the epi pen. Squinch Apr 2013 #241

The SCHOOLS should carry the epi pen! elleng Apr 2013 #258

Yes, and presumably they do. Squinch Apr 2013 #262

Thanks. Yes, timing might be a problem, elleng Apr 2013 #271

Mostly the other parents, when they attach a face to the allergy, are Squinch Apr 2013 #277

Then the rules need to be changed Mz Pip Apr 2013 #369

Yes they do need to be changed. And in the meantime, this school should stop stonewalling this Squinch Apr 2013 #379

Those poor parents. What a terrifying situation to be in. n/t pnwmom Apr 2013 #3

Which parents? Cali_Democrat Apr 2013 #6

They can have peanut butter at home. proud2BlibKansan Apr 2013 #188

The one with the soon-to-be dead kid. Deep13 May 2013 #455

Definately. I would hate for my kids to be deathly allergic to such a common food item. ZombieHorde Apr 2013 #159

Where's the epi-pen? longship Apr 2013 #4

The epi-pen is probably in the school office, and at least in my school district, winter is coming Apr 2013 #33

All but 5 states have laws allowing kids to carry epi-pens and self-administer. pnwmom Apr 2013 #88

Livonia is in one of the 5 problem states strategery blunder Apr 2013 #139

What's with this "special ed=withering away" bit? thucythucy Apr 2013 #201

But if a particular child doesn't need special EDUCATIONAL services, pnwmom Apr 2013 #209

Well, if a kid is inappropriately placed thucythucy Apr 2013 #217

Yes -- the situation is terribly complicated. pnwmom Apr 2013 #230

A kid isn't placed in special ed unless they qualify proud2BlibKansan Apr 2013 #323

With no instant access to an epi-pen, this kid effectively needs to be quarantined. strategery blunder Apr 2013 #218

I see your point. I was just struck by seeing thucythucy Apr 2013 #227

Indeed... strategery blunder Apr 2013 #237

I wonder how many people posting on DU Squinch Apr 2013 #222

And in the meantime, the school should go peanut free. Squinch Apr 2013 #220

Good thing I was quarantined in special ed to wither away KamaAina Apr 2013 #234

See? That's what happens to those poor withering special ed kids. Squinch Apr 2013 #242

Didn't Bush go to Yale? dsc Apr 2013 #288

He was a legacy KamaAina Apr 2013 #305

WTH?? Kids in special ed "wither away"??? proud2BlibKansan Apr 2013 #322

That's ridiculous - that's nuts. Yo_Mama Apr 2013 #397

My son's teachers carry epi pens telclaven Apr 2013 #180

Neither; the district has a zero-tolerance policy for all meds. Kids aren't supposed to have winter is coming Apr 2013 #197

Good luck. If your state allows them, your district needs to be educated. nt pnwmom Apr 2013 #211

I'm allergic to tomatoes, and thus allergic to pizza. Manifestor_of_Light Apr 2013 #333

I am allergic to strawberries, and vomit after eating them, but this kid is so allergic he could DIE peacebird Apr 2013 #334

Yes the school should accommodate the kid. Manifestor_of_Light Apr 2013 #339

The school cannot guarantee this kid's safety. And that's what mother wants. MADem Apr 2013 #423

You need WHITE pizza, then!!! MADem Apr 2013 #391

I'm sure there's Italian cooking without tomatoes, as well. Manifestor_of_Light Apr 2013 #424

A foccacia with anything you like on it, whatever roasted veg suits you, and a bit of MADem Apr 2013 #426

Oh man. That poor kid is gonna be the most hated kid in school Cali_Democrat Apr 2013 #5

We use sunbutter at home instead of peanut butter. Tastes the same. winter is coming Apr 2013 #34

They can have peanut butter sandwiches for breakfast every day. pnwmom Apr 2013 #91

Peanut butter is a staple Aerows Apr 2013 #101

I've always had allergies but never one that could send me into anaphylactic shock. pnwmom Apr 2013 #106

What if it all your family can afford, though? Aerows Apr 2013 #110

The school lunch program is free for low-income kids. pnwmom Apr 2013 #116

You miss the point Aerows Apr 2013 #119

It ISN'T a "low income lunch program"! It's exactly the same lunch the vast majority eat, pnwmom Apr 2013 #125

This message was self-deleted by its author winter is coming Apr 2013 #203

The school lunch program is federally funded nadinbrzezinski Apr 2013 #133

I stand corrected, then Aerows Apr 2013 #175

Parents can chose to pack a lunch nadinbrzezinski Apr 2013 #195

Sorry to hear you got it as an adult Aerows Apr 2013 #375

Go Hungry???/ Dorian Gray Apr 2013 #384

It's a solid argument Aerows Apr 2013 #385

They should also not have it 3 times a day womanofthehills Apr 2013 #147

My friend's son had a peanut allergy so bad, even skin contact was bad. Sheepshank Apr 2013 #143

How many of your allergies were potentially fatal? proud2BlibKansan Apr 2013 #189

The kid will die if he ingests peanuts, and the state does not allow Squinch Apr 2013 #226

In cases like this one, it's a very severe allergy... Violet_Crumble Apr 2013 #304

You come across as patronizing to people with life-threatening medical conditions. joeunderdog Apr 2013 #352

So that means no more PB&J sandwiches at lunch for all kids at the school? Cali_Democrat Apr 2013 #123

I'm saying that's what I would do. I don't know the right answer for a school. pnwmom Apr 2013 #127

Many school systems across the US have removed PB and J sandwiches nadinbrzezinski Apr 2013 #131

Peanuts are an ingredient in a LOT of foods, and sometimes not on label. Impossible. Honeycombe8 Apr 2013 #367

Adults love peanut butter Aerows Apr 2013 #96

Me too a la izquierda Apr 2013 #109

Peanut butter Aerows Apr 2013 #112

Actually, it's recommended to eat peanut butter in moderation womanofthehills Apr 2013 #142

I eat organic peanut butter Aerows Apr 2013 #177

I make my own peanut butter. Pab Sungenis Apr 2013 #269

That sounds delicious Aerows Apr 2013 #321

Me too. I put it in protein skakes after I workout Cali_Democrat Apr 2013 #118

I love natural peanut butter Aerows Apr 2013 #122

We haven't served peanut butter in our school for several years now. proud2BlibKansan Apr 2013 #190

Maybe it's not served in school Cali_Democrat Apr 2013 #225

Have you ever had an anaphalactic reaction? I have. Squinch Apr 2013 #229

It's reasonable to have the entire school...every kid...go peanut free for one kid? Cali_Democrat Apr 2013 #233

If the potential consequence to the one kid is death? Of course. Squinch Apr 2013 #235

Ummmmm.... perhaps because it is grossly inefficient to re-order society based on tabasco Apr 2013 #299

My thoughts exactly Aerows Apr 2013 #376

I imagine handicap parking spaces bug you too. Squinch Apr 2013 #381

Comparing a parking space close to a store tabasco Apr 2013 #428

Equating a child's possible fatal reaction and the right to peanut butter is kind of stupid. Squinch Apr 2013 #430

There is no right to peanut butter tabasco Apr 2013 #432

Yes, I know there's no right to peanut butter. That's kind of the point. Squinch Apr 2013 #433

What about students who are allergic to milk or eggs? tabasco Apr 2013 #434

Milk or egg allergies don't tend to be fatal. Squinch Apr 2013 #435

About 10 people die in the US every year from peanut allergy tabasco Apr 2013 #437

Not sure where you are getting your number from. Here is a source about peanut allergies: Squinch Apr 2013 #442

The Centers For Disease Control tabasco Apr 2013 #448

The CDC link you posted doesn't say anything about number of deaths per year. Squinch Apr 2013 #449

I guess you missed this part, which was in my excerpt tabasco May 2013 #459

That source isn't the Center for Disease Control. That is Meredith Broussard (whoever she is) Squinch May 2013 #469

PS. This is a common thing for schools to do these days. Squinch Apr 2013 #253

I didn't know that Cali_Democrat Apr 2013 #306

I don't know either. But as I said downthread, I'm betting on Monsanto. Squinch Apr 2013 #348

That's why you don't get peanuts on flights nowadays. joeunderdog Apr 2013 #353

That's not true. I flew a US carrier just this month and got peanuts going to and from California. MADem Apr 2013 #394

They've had peanuts on all the flights I've taken recently. MineralMan Apr 2013 #405

I agree Floyd_Gondolli Apr 2013 #261

Exactly... StarlightGold Apr 2013 #290

I read the article and didn't see anywhere where the Squinch Apr 2013 #382

It's not in StarlightGold Apr 2013 #389

She's suing the school, and demanding that they ensure a "peanut free" environment for her child. MADem Apr 2013 #412

None of our kids bring lunch from home. proud2BlibKansan Apr 2013 #319

It's not about PEANUT BUTTER! Peanuts are ingredients in LOTS & LOTS of foods! Honeycombe8 Apr 2013 #368

Best post of the thread. MADem Apr 2013 #392

Thx! Interesting they can become desensitized sometimes? That's good news. nt Honeycombe8 Apr 2013 #421

It's a brand new approach and it is working better than they dared hope. MADem Apr 2013 #422

I've worked at a school Tien1985 Apr 2013 #7

School can accommodate without banning nuts... ReasonableToo Apr 2013 #67

actually, separate tables doesn't always work. Sheepshank Apr 2013 #144

No, that does not always work. Zoeisright Apr 2013 #256

If a child is that allergic Pab Sungenis Apr 2013 #274

No, they aren't Spider Jerusalem Apr 2013 #301

What about the other 10% of children highly sensitive to peanuts? winter is coming Apr 2013 #311

So these kids lives are limited to home, school and only controlled environments? ReasonableToo Apr 2013 #349

agreed. peanut butter does not trump potentially very sick/dead child La Lioness Priyanka Apr 2013 #275

creating Niceguy1 Apr 2013 #8

complete bs. many kid-oriented kitchens are not completely peanut/tree-nut free. unblock Apr 2013 #76

Not true at all. I am currently working in 5 schools, all of Squinch Apr 2013 #252

if yo u look hard enough Niceguy1 Apr 2013 #298

Very possibly. But the schools have made every effort to keep the kids safe, and it seems Squinch Apr 2013 #347

louis C K had a joke about this. pansypoo53219 Apr 2013 #9

Mrs. Williams sounds like a "nut", bad pun intended. Quantess Apr 2013 #10

It's manageable without a ban. Ilsa Apr 2013 #11

First Reaction LostOne4Ever Apr 2013 #12

There are peanuts in so many products that an allergy this severe is hard to control Yo_Mama Apr 2013 #78

That was my sense of it too. FedUpWithIt All Apr 2013 #111

I agree. If it's that severe an allergy the kid should probably be home schooled Arugula Latte Apr 2013 #121

One of the ways that these allergies get so severe Yo_Mama Apr 2013 #156

Tree nuts and peanuts are not the same. Peanuts are in the legume family. haele Apr 2013 #224

I know they're not in the same family, but the article says PB and nuts Yo_Mama Apr 2013 #279

If my child were that allergic, I sure would not trust other parents or other kids. Drahthaardogs Apr 2013 #302

Wonder how this could be implemented? vankuria Apr 2013 #13

It depends on the severity of the allergy Cairycat Apr 2013 #14

That seems like a reasonable compromise and the kids marions ghost Apr 2013 #23

It sounds like a very severe allergy including tree nuts. Yo_Mama Apr 2013 #83

Sorry, but one kid with a peanut allergy vs however many don't have them? Spider Jerusalem Apr 2013 #15

Are you saying Cairycat Apr 2013 #17

The child can't help being severely allergic, no Spider Jerusalem Apr 2013 #25

You skip out on some life lessons by doing that. Neoma Apr 2013 #38

an even better life lesson: datasuspect Apr 2013 #54

And making it more unfair is better? Neoma Apr 2013 #55

you can't always get what you want datasuspect Apr 2013 #57

But you can always get what you need. Neoma Apr 2013 #90

i wasn't talking about the song datasuspect Apr 2013 #105

So? Neoma Apr 2013 #107

Well, what about the 6 degrees of Kevin BACON? DainBramaged Apr 2013 #120

gor blimey! datasuspect Apr 2013 #126

Be rather idiotic (at best) to predicate school policy on "life isn't fair..." LanternWaste Apr 2013 #173

coach would always tell us that life wasn't fair datasuspect Apr 2013 #174

If 'coach' said it, then it referred to competitive games LeftishBrit Apr 2013 #407

why build wheelchair ramps for that matter? joeunderdog Apr 2013 #354

Even if "sucking it up" may result in DYING? alp227 Apr 2013 #238

Ain't this just the craziest thread you've seen in ages? Squinch Apr 2013 #243

save the drama for your mama datasuspect Apr 2013 #244

Hey! I just called this a crazy thread and then noticed YOU started it. Squinch Apr 2013 #266

And die rather than deny your friends peanut butter. Squinch Apr 2013 #249

Yup, life isn't fair, so you'll just have to go without peanut butter Scootaloo Apr 2013 #273

That's absurd Spider Jerusalem Apr 2013 #58

But I like what someone else said in this thread. Neoma Apr 2013 #65

Such adaptations do cost money, which can inconvenience people where the budget is tight. That is LeftishBrit Apr 2013 #74

"you have to get your peanut butter sammich at home" is a tiny, tiny inconvenience unblock Apr 2013 #80

No, it isn't, and that's just ridiculous Spider Jerusalem Apr 2013 #86

I disagree. I think it is a *minor* accommodation, and the social ostracism IdaBriggs Apr 2013 #92

It isn't a minor accomodation. Spider Jerusalem Apr 2013 #99

How many school lunches have you made in the last five years? IdaBriggs Apr 2013 #204

This is interesting. Squinch Apr 2013 #259

What about a lot of the other things that schools commonly require? LeftishBrit Apr 2013 #409

Maybe being in a wheelchair right now makes me realize how fucked up and insenitive people can be. Neoma Apr 2013 #103

And? Spider Jerusalem Apr 2013 #108

I've seen businesses cut corners illegally when it comes to accessibility. Neoma Apr 2013 #117

Its true that hospitals accomodate diets, but hospitals aren't "nut free zones". They make the Erose999 Apr 2013 #157

Actually an area of the kitchen nadinbrzezinski Apr 2013 #169

Its an area of the kitchen though, and not the entire hospital. I mean you can still get nut items Erose999 Apr 2013 #212

Schools have done this, gone nut free nadinbrzezinski Apr 2013 #223

Neoma is right. lumberjack_jeff Apr 2013 #128

No, it won't Spider Jerusalem Apr 2013 #130

First World Problems, huh? alp227 Apr 2013 #240

Maybe someone should open up a charter school for children with extreme allergies. THey can have Pisces Apr 2013 #98

Alternatively, they can ban peanuts, which is done all the time with little Squinch Apr 2013 #245

This opens the school to lawsuits if someone makes a mistake and sends in a food item Pisces Apr 2013 #296

No, actually it doesn't open the school to anything like that. Where do you get this stuff? Squinch Apr 2013 #345

Do you think a child with Tourette's syndrome should be kept home? Squinch Apr 2013 #239

You don't build an elevator just for a kid with spina bifida. MADem Apr 2013 #291

Oy. Squinch Apr 2013 #308

IED, IEP--it's all blowing up in her face, and you knew what I meant. MADem Apr 2013 #359

Carry on with the drama. It really adds to the excitement of discussing this issue, which for Squinch Apr 2013 #380

Speaking of "carrying on," that post added absolutely nothing to the thread MADem Apr 2013 #390

An allergy free policy gives a false sense of security ReasonableToo Apr 2013 #365

Because they're the ones who have died in schools. Squinch Apr 2013 #377

They can be home schooled on the public dime--Rick Santorum's kids were. MADem Apr 2013 #205

School districts in the US have actually gotten rid nadinbrzezinski Apr 2013 #136

Home schooling the kid might actually cost thucythucy Apr 2013 #207

I always wonder about Le Taz Hot Apr 2013 #16

So because the school can't control this for the rest of the child's life Cairycat Apr 2013 #18

Wow! Le Taz Hot Apr 2013 #19

You're really missing the point of his question. nt. TimberValley Apr 2013 #32

The difference is... LeftishBrit Apr 2013 #71

Sometimes people grow out of allergies or they get less severe. pnwmom Apr 2013 #93

Under the ADA employers are required to make accommodations nadinbrzezinski Apr 2013 #141

But his employers will have to accommodate proud2BlibKansan Apr 2013 #194

10 years old is old enough to start taking care of yourself. reformist2 Apr 2013 #20

You can die without consuming, you've missed those comments in this thread. Neoma Apr 2013 #41

Maybe the whole world should be peanut free. reformist2 Apr 2013 #43

Wouldn't hurt. Neoma Apr 2013 #44

I could not find a single case of a person dying from a peanut Vinnie From Indy Apr 2013 #70

Might be less deaths since there's epi-pens. Neoma Apr 2013 #85

I Have a Question RobinA Apr 2013 #163

I can eat every nut but cashews. Neoma Apr 2013 #167

Monsanto. Squinch Apr 2013 #251

Part of it is lack of exposure jeff47 Apr 2013 #332

Where the heck did you look? Here are 5 from a 5 minute search. Squinch Apr 2013 #248

All of those people had eaten them. Mariana Apr 2013 #350

Two of those (2nd and last) are the same kid, who didn't eat a peanut, he ate a cookie MADem May 2013 #457

I doubt a truly peanut-free environment is even possible - lynne Apr 2013 #21

I would home school tavernier Apr 2013 #22

I am with you on this one. My granddaughter evidently has a classmate that has that problem. southernyankeebelle Apr 2013 #28

Not everyone has the time to homeschool. Neoma Apr 2013 #42

My niece is 10 years old with a serious peanut allergy. She could die if she ingests them. smirkymonkey Apr 2013 #295

The parents should do that. n/t duffyduff Apr 2013 #314

There oughta be a treatment. ananda Apr 2013 #24

You'd think. Quick story. Inkfreak Apr 2013 #26

The solution is simple. Teach the kid to not eat other kid's food. Or, home school him. leveymg Apr 2013 #27

Here's a clue for you: Zoeisright Apr 2013 #257

Thank you for that information. Anaphylaxis is indeed a serious medical event. leveymg Apr 2013 #297

Not to sound insensitive but I don't think it's fair to inconvenience so many for just one person. TimberValley Apr 2013 #30

If the child had another disability marions ghost Apr 2013 #31

At what point would the logistics be considered too much though? TimberValley Apr 2013 #35

Even then LostOne4Ever Apr 2013 #37

ok, so a parent lapses and sends their kid to school with a peanut lunch, what next? uncle ray Apr 2013 #138

Home school the kid! Problem solved! n-t Logical Apr 2013 #158

Distance learning--even better. That way the parent doesn't have to do the work. MADem Apr 2013 #250

What I'm saying is marions ghost Apr 2013 #48

We're talking about little kids here newmember Apr 2013 #40

You can't guarantee his ultimate safety marions ghost Apr 2013 #59

I don't disagree with your post newmember Apr 2013 #69

It isn't the school that has to accommodate - it's the other parents gollygee Apr 2013 #61

Read my other posts marions ghost Apr 2013 #63

Yeah but your argument gollygee Apr 2013 #66

No--I have not said the school has a responsibilty anywhere marions ghost Apr 2013 #77

What other disability would require that every person in the school modify their behavior? MADem Apr 2013 #246

So OK I don't know these parents marions ghost Apr 2013 #317

I don't disagree that a compromise would certainly work, as others here have suggested. MADem Apr 2013 #355

I dont know these people so I can't get personal against the mother marions ghost Apr 2013 #363

Her comments in the cited article are inflammatory, to put it kindly. MADem Apr 2013 #371

I can't hate on somebody marions ghost Apr 2013 #372

How do you know banning peanuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, chestnuts, pecans, etc., is a "minor WinkyDink Apr 2013 #328

I found this marions ghost Apr 2013 #335

They're asking for peanuts and all tree nuts be banned. It's in the article. n/t tammywammy Apr 2013 #356

OK well I had no idea this was such a burning hot topic marions ghost Apr 2013 #366

What if the child died womanofthehills Apr 2013 #146

It's a common situation rightsideout Apr 2013 #36

I thought the evidence showed no fatalities unless peanuts were digested. aikoaiko Apr 2013 #39

Even then Nevernose Apr 2013 #46

There are many documented cases--here's a recent one: marions ghost Apr 2013 #51

Let's imagine that, instead of a peanut allergy, some student had an extreme sensitivity to light. TimberValley Apr 2013 #45

Weigh each case and adjust marions ghost Apr 2013 #52

I have mixed feelings about this gollygee Apr 2013 #47

Yes, the nut-free table appears to work well at many schools. reformist2 Apr 2013 #49

I do too... Phentex Apr 2013 #75

I have a story that proves your point. bunnies Apr 2013 #170

Your friend should be ashamed of herself missingthebigdog Apr 2013 #307

I think she was just upset that her child was not allowed to eat. bunnies Apr 2013 #346

I have been reading that peanut oil in vaccines is behind the rise in peanut allergies. IdaBriggs Apr 2013 #50

If the allergy is that severe mainstreetonce Apr 2013 #53

I believe that is the discussion point. IdaBriggs Apr 2013 #84

I wasn't referring to that argument. mainstreetonce Apr 2013 #87

The point is that (per the parents logical argument) IdaBriggs Apr 2013 #89

Refining peanut oil is supposed to kill the proteins that cause allergic reactions. n/t winter is coming Apr 2013 #56

Key work "supposed" - the "epidemic" of peanut allergies started IdaBriggs Apr 2013 #79

Hmm gollygee Apr 2013 #62

Tons of different theories out there. IdaBriggs Apr 2013 #81

I'm not sure why "didn't" is in quotation marks in your post gollygee Apr 2013 #165

Still not sharing with my MIL! Lol! IdaBriggs Apr 2013 #198

Chemicals can cause peanut allergies womanofthehills Apr 2013 #148

Here's why that theory falls apart jeff47 Apr 2013 #336

I have a niece whose son has severe allergies to tree nuts MineralMan Apr 2013 #60

That is very accurately stated Yo_Mama Apr 2013 #286

Well said. Kids who have allergies need to be taught to protect themselves. This kid is not in a Pisces Apr 2013 #364

No. That's bullshit. Arkana Apr 2013 #64

+10000 Totally agree. nt TimberValley Apr 2013 #68

Wow Tien1985 Apr 2013 #82

There is good evidence that the drastic rise in peanut allergies Vinnie From Indy Apr 2013 #72

What a sick statement womanofthehills Apr 2013 #153

Mission accomplished! Vinnie From Indy Apr 2013 #370

Creating a Bigger Problem? 4Q2u2 Apr 2013 #73

Genetics doesn't work that way Silent3 Apr 2013 #396

Wow Aerows Apr 2013 #94

My district handles this by making the child's homeroom nut-free, not the whole school. Nye Bevan Apr 2013 #95

Excellent solution Aerows Apr 2013 #113

My daughters school in Ottawa is peanut free happypeacebug Apr 2013 #97

In the Southern United States Aerows Apr 2013 #115

the "peanut free " foods for lunches are not super costly happypeacebug Apr 2013 #182

I disagree they are not super costly laundry_queen Apr 2013 #216

Nick should learn not to put his hands to his mouth without first washing them. Barack_America Apr 2013 #100

Mom should home school her child. Apophis Apr 2013 #102

I agree Aerows Apr 2013 #374

Curious about another aspect of this... madmom Apr 2013 #104

I've been SEVERELY allergic to many things in my life, thankfully peanuts aren't one DainBramaged Apr 2013 #114

There is a treatment nadinbrzezinski Apr 2013 #124

Shit. If it's one thing I can't stand, it's a panicky, helicopter mother. Aristus Apr 2013 #129

Peanut allergies affect 300 percent more kids than as recently as 1997, according to this Arugula Latte Apr 2013 #132

That is really interesting. treestar Apr 2013 #145

When I was in PA School, I had a classmate who insisted that treating bacterial infections Aristus Apr 2013 #150

Interesting. A 'bored' immune system? Matariki Apr 2013 #154

I have very bad pollen allergies that completely disappear when I go to places like Central America. Marr Apr 2013 #342

Which is why allergists/immunologists worked so hard to find a cure for it. MADem Apr 2013 #395

They are on the rise actually nadinbrzezinski Apr 2013 #134

Shit. If there's one thing I can't stand, it's the ignorant. Zoeisright Apr 2013 #260

I didn't say it didn't exist. I simply suspect it is overdiagnosed. Aristus Apr 2013 #268

The kid has an EpiPen. winter is coming Apr 2013 #320

I've run into several parents who are absolutely sure their kid has a deadly peanut allergy jeff47 Apr 2013 #337

So... you know "several moms" who don't know their kids eat PBJ at school, but you know it? winter is coming Apr 2013 #341

The mom doesn't "know" because that would shatter her sacrifice. jeff47 Apr 2013 #401

but you dont personally know if this kid was part of the overdiagnosed category, do you? La Lioness Priyanka Apr 2013 #414

When it comes to disabilities, there are reasonable accommodations kudzu22 Apr 2013 #135

Schools are doing it though nadinbrzezinski Apr 2013 #140

Think of it like the parent of the allergic kid. jeff47 Apr 2013 #338

It's one thing to ask people to be accomodating. It's another thing to demand it. nt. TimberValley Apr 2013 #137

I remember back in 1974 when 112 kids at my school died from peanuts. Throd Apr 2013 #149

Which is interesting, but this child DOES have a potentially fatal allergy. Squinch Apr 2013 #282

Reason #501 why I'm happy I don't have children a la izquierda Apr 2013 #151

Why are there so many kids with peanut allergies these days? Matariki Apr 2013 #152

Pesticides are a big contributor womanofthehills Apr 2013 #160

Plastics in cookware, chemical additives, steroids in meats, genetically modified foods, etc. etc... joeunderdog Apr 2013 #358

Jimmy Carter, probably Yo_Mama Apr 2013 #161

Here's one thought: gollygee Apr 2013 #168

No wonder I'm so healthy! Matariki Apr 2013 #184

No one really knows. Some say it's too much cleanliness, vaccines, winter is coming Apr 2013 #208

Not sure what the parents want YarnAddict Apr 2013 #155

Not just that, but no nuts of any kinds. Yo_Mama Apr 2013 #162

That is one area where it gets really tricky gollygee Apr 2013 #171

I think that's unreasonable YarnAddict Apr 2013 #270

The kids would not be eating lunch at all!!! Yo_Mama Apr 2013 #284

For sure! n/t YarnAddict Apr 2013 #292

My youngest son has a severe (contact) peanut allergy. Xithras Apr 2013 #164

+1. I can remember my kid, at 5, pointing at one of those "uncrustable" PBJs in the winter is coming Apr 2013 #210

LOL Cali_Democrat Apr 2013 #228

After reading through this thread SheilaT Apr 2013 #166

I'm With You RobinA Apr 2013 #247

It is definitely true that a person with this type of allergy has to learn to manage it Yo_Mama Apr 2013 #255

The school would also have to ban unpackaged snacks... bunnies Apr 2013 #172

My kid's school strongly discourages food trading/sharing. winter is coming Apr 2013 #213

See. That makes sense to me. bunnies Apr 2013 #265

OMG, I just went straight back to 8th grade. winter is coming Apr 2013 #303

OK, maybe I'm old, but . . . Brigid Apr 2013 #176

Exactly Aerows Apr 2013 #178

Me too, 50's and 60's NO ONE had food allergies DainBramaged Apr 2013 #179

Wondering the same thing Floyd_Gondolli Apr 2013 #263

Mom needs to enroll her child in a desensitization trial. MADem Apr 2013 #181

this is far from a universal cure unblock Apr 2013 #191

Re-read the article. MADem Apr 2013 #199

i've talked to a number of doctors about this and it's not a cure-all unblock Apr 2013 #206

The NYT article was about complex, multiple allergies, not just peanut. MADem Apr 2013 #215

some of the doctors i've spoken with are at the forefront of this research. unblock Apr 2013 #431

Four months. It's not an experiemental treatment either--it's simple desensitization. MADem Apr 2013 #439

four months is about the right minimum time for the challenges *in a doctor's office* unblock Apr 2013 #441

A major time commitment for a normal life. I think, if there's a treatment available for a kid MADem Apr 2013 #450

if it worked and there were no question about it, sure. unblock May 2013 #462

That link doesn't work. MADem May 2013 #465

try the link now. unblock May 2013 #466

Ahhh...a lot of the movement on this issue has happened AFTER Jan 2013. MADem May 2013 #467

thanks for all your links and information. unblock May 2013 #468

Acupressure can help too ReasonableToo Apr 2013 #357

This kid needs the whole "start with ten micrograms of peanut flour" protocol. MADem Apr 2013 #361

I agree. ReasonableToo Apr 2013 #373

If they are going to accommodate this child then they need to accommodate all of them... Kalidurga Apr 2013 #183

i don't know where a cafeteria serving non-kosher food would be life-threatening. unblock Apr 2013 #193

Why should it have to be life threatening? Kalidurga Apr 2013 #196

Because kids like that one die if they have anything with the slightest trace of peanuts... Violet_Crumble Apr 2013 #315

It's unreasonable Aerows Apr 2013 #327

It's not. Not when a child will die if they eat peanuts... Violet_Crumble Apr 2013 #330

I disagree Travis_0004 Apr 2013 #378

I don't think you get the point of accommodation Kalidurga Apr 2013 #425

Sawdust for everyone!! Ooops...who has a wood allergy? nt MADem Apr 2013 #221

Oops I do nt Kalidurga Apr 2013 #293

Ground concrete for you!!! nt MADem Apr 2013 #362

Or you could avoid all that if you stuck to banning just the food that can kill one of the kids. Squinch Apr 2013 #272

There are a whole lot of deadly allergies that people have. Kalidurga Apr 2013 #294

Because lactose intolerant kids don't die of lactose. Squinch Apr 2013 #343

I know peanut alergies can be very serious, even fatal AndyA Apr 2013 #185

I was under the impression most schools have already gone peanut free. proud2BlibKansan Apr 2013 #187

Part of life is learning how to cope with a disability LittleBlue Apr 2013 #192

"she's conditioning him for a sterile environment"???? unblock Apr 2013 #200

Quite generally speaking, children need to learn to cope with all kinds of things; but while they LeftishBrit Apr 2013 #429

I'm of 2 minds about this laundry_queen Apr 2013 #214

Being of two minds pipi_k Apr 2013 #232

Those are all things I've thought of as well. laundry_queen Apr 2013 #310

Step One, for anyone with a serious allergy, is to seek desensitization therapy. MADem Apr 2013 #236

Good point about the parents SheilaT Apr 2013 #285

If my child had that severe of an allergy we would pack all of his lunches and grantcart Apr 2013 #219

My son's are vegetarians Boudica the Lyoness Apr 2013 #231

I thought of that too Yo_Mama Apr 2013 #267

A lot of schools are now nut free. Kids have a way of sharing things and all it would take is appleannie1 Apr 2013 #254

Except that you don't know what has nuts in it and not Yo_Mama Apr 2013 #289

Indeed even if there is a ban there is no guarantee that every item of food brought in will be safe. PoliticAverse Apr 2013 #318

My kids school is peanut free abelenkpe Apr 2013 #264

My kid's school is nut free as well. It makes it mildly inconvenient when Butterbean Apr 2013 #420

Im inclined to side with the mom. Warren DeMontague Apr 2013 #276

it's funny when it comes to the wealthy we are always talking about how they should La Lioness Priyanka Apr 2013 #278

In my experience, asking kids not to bring peanuts is pretty common. Warren DeMontague Apr 2013 #280

i feel disdainful towards many members in this thread La Lioness Priyanka Apr 2013 #312

Peanut butter is poor folks' food. But this isn't about "peanut butter." MADem Apr 2013 #399

many other schools have done it and succeeded. a reasonable accomodation can La Lioness Priyanka Apr 2013 #400

A reasonable accommodation is a letter home to his classmates and a table in the corner of the MADem Apr 2013 #411

If the kid's allergy is so severe jeff47 Apr 2013 #340

Christ! Get that woman a Valium! Warpy Apr 2013 #281

This is turning out to be quite a revealing liberty vs safety issue! reformist2 Apr 2013 #283

And peanut butter vs death issue! Squinch Apr 2013 #287

i think its sad that we define liberty as ability to eat peanuts in schools La Lioness Priyanka Apr 2013 #413

It's kind of a big deal to kids... reformist2 Apr 2013 #419

Good grief have you seen the list of tree nuts? dkf Apr 2013 #300

What, pray tell, is a Bush nut? KamaAina Apr 2013 #309

No in CT. Hahaha. dkf Apr 2013 #316

Right, it'd not going to happen realistically. Yo_Mama Apr 2013 #416

Good point. Why feed a false sense of security when what she wants is impossible. dkf Apr 2013 #417

Surely young Nick is not the only child in Michigan with a peanut allergy. KamaAina Apr 2013 #313

I guess I'm just Lucky Brimley Apr 2013 #324

Not only peanuts; SHE ALSO ASKED TO BAN ALL TREE-NUTS, PEOPLE. That is one heckuva request. WinkyDink Apr 2013 #325

Slightly off topic, Blue_In_AK Apr 2013 #326

It was because they don't need refrigeration, I thought. WinkyDink Apr 2013 #329

My daughter was born in 1984 HockeyMom Apr 2013 #331

My personal opinion is that a lot of kids laundry_queen Apr 2013 #344

Actually, we had the exact opposite experience. winter is coming Apr 2013 #351

I was having a conversation with someone I work with just the other day notadmblnd Apr 2013 #360

Pardon me... Jasana Apr 2013 #383

A little inconvenience versus the death of a child Uzair Apr 2013 #386

Well Said greatlaurel Apr 2013 #393

Do you support a ban on all peanut and tree nut products everywhere? Silent3 Apr 2013 #398

everywhere else the kid can bring his epipen. Also the parents can limit access to other spaces La Lioness Priyanka Apr 2013 #403

Schooling is a necessity, schooling happening in particular buildings, not so much. Silent3 Apr 2013 #408

Well hello there "slippery slope" logical fallacy Uzair Apr 2013 #406

I wasn't positing a slippery slope at all, that one ban would or could lead to the other Silent3 Apr 2013 #410

Do you support mandatory nose piercing for all? Squinch Apr 2013 #444

My post certainly does apply, if you'd bothered to read more... Silent3 Apr 2013 #446

Nah. I read it. Doesn't really apply. Squinch Apr 2013 #447

If this kid were allergic to oxygen some here would advocate banning that as well Demo_Chris Apr 2013 #387

That makes sense. Because who can tell the difference between peanuts and oxygen? Squinch Apr 2013 #445

It would seem that the easy answer would be to ban peanuts, but by doing chelsea0011 Apr 2013 #388

Up above someone said their child's snack had been confiscated so the next day she brought it dkf Apr 2013 #402

If this woman thinks every parent is going to be hyper vigilant keeping all peanut and peanut oils dkf Apr 2013 #404

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2013 #415

I believe this is a case where the individual must be vigilant... yawnmaster Apr 2013 #418

Anyone see the latest Louis C.K. HBO special? MrSlayer Apr 2013 #427

Some responses here drive me up the wall Canuckistanian Apr 2013 #436

And walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, chestnuts, ...... TREE NUTS. WinkyDink Apr 2013 #438

That is extreme Canuckistanian Apr 2013 #451

Completely untrue. Nuts (peanuts are NOT nuts; they're legumes) marybourg May 2013 #453

... La Lioness Priyanka Apr 2013 #440

The really funny thing is that the same is true here in the US. Squinch Apr 2013 #443

The nut free school request for my younger daughter gollygee May 2013 #461

There are people who contract all the trendy conditions just for attention BlueStreak Apr 2013 #452

For some time I've been bemused at the extreme marybourg May 2013 #454

A reference for you BlueStreak May 2013 #456

EXCELLENT reference. MADem May 2013 #458

And I note that the child is 10 years old BlueStreak May 2013 #460

I was just on a panel discussion last weekend where we discussed the IdaBriggs May 2013 #463

That comment was specifically about ADD and Ritilin, and I stand by it BlueStreak May 2013 #464

The kids who can eat Peanuts should not suffer because of 1 child. Walter-White Jul 2013 #470